12.3 Summary

Innovation is the acceptance of a new product or service on the market. Communication and appropriate behaviour is an indispensable element of success. We might have the best product or service, but how can we be successful when we are not able to communicate its innovative characteristics to potential clients while at the same time respecting the cultural norms and habits of their country? Products, services and information are moving fast between countries and continents and if we want to be more than a simple passive observer, we need to understand what happens, we need intercultural and foreign language competence to gather information, to communicate and to behave properly with foreign customers. Foreign language and intercultural competences are key skills to behave in an adequate way in situations when dealing with representatives with different cultural background - employees, business partners, clients. It’s a chance to learn and a challenge at the same time.

The main objective of this component was to raise awareness of the importance of foreign language and intercultural competence in business and supporting successful innovation. After reading and reflection upon personal and organisational needs and resources, we suggest that in order for you to reach this objective you should begin immediately to initiating concrete plans and actions. Failure to do so will result in ideas rapidly getting lost in daily routine…

This website was funded with the support of the European Leonardo da Vinci and Lifelong Learning Programme and various project partnerships. The partnerships also acknowledge the support they received from the various business support organisations, SMEs and individuals across Europe in realising and maintaining this project.

This project was carried out with the support of the European Community. The content of this project does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Community or the National Agencies, nor does it involve any responsibility for their part.